Protective carton structure



y 1, 1966 R. A. BLACK 3,253,770

PROTECTIVE CARTON S TRUCTURE Filed Jan. 10, 1964 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I J5 J0 6 d H f9 INVENTOR.

May 31, 1966 R. A. BLACK PROTECTIVE CARTON STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 10, 1964 United States Patent- The present invention relates to a novel carton structure, and more specifically to a novel carton especially suitable for packaging books or other articles.

While cartons incorporating features of the present invention may be utilized for packaging various articles, the present disclosure will be facilitated by describing a structure [especially suitable for packaging books. As will be understood, many books are packaged for shipment through the mails or otherwise in a manner such that the packages are subjected to rough handling. Thus it is desirable to provide a carton capable of protecting the books and particularly edges thereof from being bent or torn during such handling. Suggestions have-heretofore been made for providing shipping cartons for books, but certain of such heretofore suggested cartons have been relatively complicated and expensive or have required excessive amounts of stock material or processing by means of complex and expensive machinery.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel carton of relatively simple and economical construction and capable of providing effective protection for articles such as books packaged therein.

- A further object 'of the present invention is to provide a novel carton in which articles such as books may be hand packed quickly and economically.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel carton of the above-described type which may be easily opened.

4 Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein;

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a blank for a carton incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a carton incorporating features of the present invention partially assembled with an article such as a book to be packaged;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 33 in FIG. 2, and showing portions of the carton in broken lines in the same condition as in FIG. 2, which portions are further shown in solid lines in a fully assembled condition;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views similar to FIG. 2 but showing successive steps in the assembly of the carton with the book or the article being packaged;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the carton fully assembled with the book;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 7-7 in FIG. 6; and

FIG. -8 is a perspective view of the carton fully assembled with the book and turned upside down from the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, it is seen that a carton 10 incorporating features of the present invention comprises a one-piece blank 12 formed from corrugated board, cardboard, or any other suitable sheet material. The blank 12 comprises various sections described in detail below, which sections are integrally joined to each other along bend lines that are preferably scored or otherwise positively definedfor facilitating folding of the blank into the completed carton.

The blank 12 comprises a first rectangular section 14 having a length and width closely similar to the length and width of a book 17 or other article to be packaged. Opposite end sections or panels 16 and 18 are articulated to opposite ends of the panel 14 along bend lines 20 and 22, respectively. The end panels 16 and 18 have a width substantially equal to the width of the panel 14 and a height closely similar to the thickness of the book or article 17. Flaps 24 and 26 are articulated along bend lines 28 and 30, respectively, to outer or upper margins below.

One longitudinally extending edge 32 of the panel 14 is free while an opposite parallel longitudinally extending edge is articulated along bend line 34 to a side panel 36, which has a width or height at least substantially equal to the height of the end panels 16 and 18 plus the thickness of the sheet material stock from which the blank is formed. It is to be noted that the panel 36 has a length greater than the length of the panel 14 and presents opposite end portions 38 and 40 projecting beyond the opposite ends of the panel 14 and separated from the end panel 16 and 18 along cut lines 42 and 44, for a purpose discussed more fully below.

The side panel 36 is articulated to another panel 46 along scored bend line 47. For the sake of convenience, the panel 46 will be designated as the top panel of the carton, while the previously mentioned panel 14' will form an inner bottom panel of the carton. The panel 46 has a width substantially the .same as the bottom panel 14, but has a length equal to the length of the side panel 36 so as to present opposite end portions 48 and 50 projecting beyond the opposite end edges of the bottom panel 14. The top panel 46 is further integrally joined along bend line 52 to another side panel 54 which is substantially identical to the side panel 36 and is, in turn, articulated along bend line 56 to another panel 58. The panel 58 may also be designated as a bottom panel and has a width similar to the width of the bottom panel 14. However, the panel 58 has a length equal to the length of the top panel 46 and the side panels 36 and 54. Thus the side panel 54 and the top panel 58 respectively present opposite end portions 60-62 and 64-66 which project beyond opposite ends of the bottom panel 14.

The carton is adapted to be assembled by hand with the book in the manner shown in FIGS. 3-8. More specifically, the book 17 is first positioned on the bottom panel 14 whereupon the opposite end panels 16 and 18 and the flaps connected thereto are folded upwardly around the ends and over the book. FIG. 2 shows the ends and flaps in a partially folded condition which is also shown in broken lines in FIG. 3, while the end panels and flaps are shown in solid lines in a fully folded condition in FIG. 3. After the flaps 24 and 26 have been folded fiat against the top of the book, the bottom panel 14 is folded upwardly from the position shown in FIG. 2 through the position shown in FIG. 4 so that the panel 14 and the book are shifted into overlying relationship with respect to the top panel 46. This action, of course, causes the side panel 36 to be positioned along the side of the book. Then the opposite side panel 54 is folded J upwardly along the opposite side of the book as indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5,- and the panel 58 is folded through the positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to the fully assembled position against the panel 14 shown in FIGS. 6-8.

The panel 58 is secured against the panel 14 'and this may be accomplished by utilizing any suitable fastening means. For example, a tape or staples or stitching may be used if desired, or adhesive material 68- may be applied to the panel 58 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. Alternatively, the adhesive material may be applied to the panel 14.

When the carton is fully assembled as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the panels 14 and 58 combine to provide a double thickness of material along one flat side of the article or book 17 for padding and protecting the book while the panel 46 combines with the flaps 24 and 2.6 in providing a double thickness of the sheet material along the opposite flat side of the book. It is further important to note that the projecting end portions of the carton side panels 36 and 60 and the top and bottom panels 46 and 58 provide end bumper or cushion means 70 and 72 projecting well beyond the opposite end 16 and 18 of the carton or absorbing shocks and crushing forces which would otherwise injure the opposite ends of the book or article 17.

It has been found that cartons having the structure herein and described above can be assembled with books by hand very rapidly since only simple folding and wrapping motions are required. In fact, it has been found that books may be hand-packed, utilizing cartons of the present dimension faster per man hour required than has heretofore been possible with many cartons constructed for processing in box-folding machinery. Thus cartons constructed in accordance with the present invention are not only relatively simple and economical to produce but also enable cost savings to be made in the packaging operation and eliminate the need for box-folding machinery.

In order to facilitate opening of the finished carton, a tear-strip or ribbon 74 is adhesively secured to the inner surface panel 46 and extends between opposite ends thereof as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8. The panel 46 is out along lines 76 and 78 adjacent to but terminating short of one end thereof, for defining a tab 80. When it is desired to open the carton, the tab 80 is grasped and pulled upwardly as shown in FIG. 8 whereupon a further pulling action causes the tear-strip or ribbon 74 to sever the panel 46, whereupon the opposite sides of the panel may be folded upwardly. This action exposes the flaps 24 and 26 which are also then folded upwardly to permit removal of the book.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein, it is obvious that many structural details may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

'1. A one-piece sheet material carton for packaging an article such as a book having a predetermined width, thickness and overall length, said carton comprising spaced apart and opposing first and second panels having a width similar to said predetermined width respectively overlying opposite sides of said article, said first panel having a length similar to and slightly greater than said predetermined overall lengths, opposite end panels integrally articulated along scored bend lines to opposite'end edges'of said first panel and extending generally perpendicularly therefrom towards said second panel for traversing opposite ends of said article, said end panels being substantially imperforate and completely enclosing the article therebetween, flaps respectively integrally articulated to said opposite end panels and extending toward and terminating short of each other within said second panel and combining with said second panel in providing a double thickness of material along the adjacent sides of said article, a side panel integrally articulated'along scored bend lines to first side edges of both said first and second panels for overlying an edge of said article, a'second side edge of said first panel being entirely free and providing a terminal edge of the carton, another side panel integrally articulated to an opposite second side edge of said second panel and extending toward said first panel for overlying an opposite side edge of said article, an additional panel overlying and abutting said first panel and integrally articulated to said second mentioned side panel, said second panel, said side panels and additional panel ea-ch having a length greater than said length of the first panel and including opposite end portions projecting outwardly of said opposite end panels for protecting said opposite end panels and end of the article from injury, said flaps and said end panels having completely free and exposed side edges generally aligned with the first and second side edges of said first panel, said additional panel having a completely free and exposed side edge oppositely from said second side panel and adjacent said first side panel, and adhesive means on an inner surface of said additional panel adjacent said free and exposed side edge thereof and adhesively securing said additional panel to said first panel.

2. A one-piece sheet material carton for packaging an article such as a book comprising spaced apart and opposing first and second panels having a predetermined width respectively overlying opposite sides of the article, said first panel having a predetermined length, opposite end panels integrally articulated along scored bend lines to opposite end edges of said first panel and extending generally perpendicularly therefrom toward said second panel for traversing opposite ends of said article, flaps respectively integrally articulated to said opposite end panels and extending toward and terminating short of each other within said second panel and combining with said second panel in providing a double thickness of material along the adjacent side of said article, a side panel integrally articulated along scored bend lines to first side edges of both of said first and second panels for overlying an edge of said article, a second side edge of said first panel being entirely free, another side panel integrally articulated to an opposite second side edge of said second panel and extending toward said first panel for overlying an opposite side edge of said article, an additional panel overlying and abutting said first panel and integrally articulated to said second mentioned side panel, said second panel, side panels and additional panel each having a length substantially throughout its width greater than said length of the first panel and including opposite end portions projecting outwardly of said opposite end panels for protecting ends of said article from injury, and a panel tearing element secured to an inner surface of said second panel and extending between and substantially to opposite ends of said second panel, said flaps and said end panels having completely free and exposed side edges generally aligned with the first and second side edges of said first panel, said flaps and end panels being fully exposed for opening upon removal of said tearing element.

3. A carton, as defined in claim 2, which includes slit means in said second panel defining a tab adjacent one end of the second panel and connected to said tearing element.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,399,537 4/ 1946 Belden 22940 2,885,842 5/1959 Boitel 229-40 2,919,060 12/1959 Daniels 2295l 3,116,005 12/1963 Skaggs 206-62 X 3,184,145 5/1965 Baker 22940 JOSEPH LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner.

D. T. MOORHEAD, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A ONE-PIECE SHEET MATERIAL CARTON FOR PACKAGING AN ARTICLE SUCH AS A BOOK HAVING A PREDETERMINED WIDTH, THICKNESS AND OVERALL LENGTH, SAID CARTON COMPRISING SPACED APART AND OPPOSING FIRST AND SECOND PANELS HAVING A WIDTH SIMILAR TO SAID PREDETERMINED WIDTH RESPECTIVELY OVERLYING OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID ARTICLE, SAID FIRST PANEL HAVING A LENGTH SIMILAR TO AND SLIGHTLY GREATER THAN SAID PREDETERMINED OVERALL LENGTHS, OPPOSITE END PANELS INTEGRALLY ARTICULATED ALONG SCORED BEND LINES TO OPPOSITE END EDGES OF SAID FIRST PANEL AND EXTENDING GENERALLY PERPENDICULARLY THEREFROM TOWARDS SAID SECOND PANEL FOR TRAVERSING OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID ARTICLE, SAID END PANELS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY IMPERFORATE AND COMPLETELY ENCLOSING THE ARTICLE THEREBETWEEN, FLAPS RESPECTIVELY INTEGRALLY ARTICULATED TO SAID OPPOSITE END PANELS AND EXTENDING TOWARD AND TERMINATING SHORT OF EACH OTHER WITHIN SAID SECOND PANEL AND COMBINING WITH SAID SECOND PANEL IN PROVIDING A DOUBLE THICKNESS OF MATERIAL ALONG THE ADJACENT SIDES OF SAID ARTICLE, A SIDE PANEL INTEGRALLY ARTICULATED ALONG SCORED BEND LINES OF FIRST SIDE EDGES OF BOTH SAID FIRST AND SECOND PANELS FOR OVERLYING AN EDGE OF SAID ARTICLE, A SECOND SIDE EDGE OF SAID FIRST PANEL BEING ENTIRELY FREE AND PROVIDING A TERMINAL EDGE OF THE CARTON, ANOTHER SIDE PANEL INTEGRALLY ARTICULATED TO AN OPPOSITE SECOND SIDE EDGE OF SAID SECOND PANEL AND EXTENDING TOWARD SAID FIRST PANEL FOR OVERLYING AN OPPOSITE SIDE EDGE OF SAID ARTICLE, AN ADDITIONAL PANEL OVERLYING AND ABUTTING SAID FIRST PANEL AND INTEGRALLY ARTICULATED TO SAID SECOND MENTIONED SIDE PANEL, SAID SECOND PANEL, SAID SIDE PANELS AND ADDITIONAL PANEL EACH HAVING A LENGTH GREATER THAN SAID LENGTH OF THE FIRST PANEL AND INCLUDING OPPOSITE END PORTIONS PROJECTING OUTWARDLY OF SAID OPPOSITE END PANELS FOR PROTECTING SAID OPPOSITE END PANELS AND END OF THE ARTICLE FROM INJURY, SAID FLAPS AND SAID END PANELS HAVING COMPLETELY FREE AND EXPOSED SIDE EDGES GENERALLY ALIGNED WITH THE FIRST AND SECOND SIDE EDGES OF SAID FIRST PANEL, SAID ADDITIONAL PANEL HAVING A COMPLETELY FREE AND EXPOSED SIDE EDGE OPPOSITELY FROM SAID SECOND SIDE PANEL AND ADJACENT SAID FIRST SIDE PANEL, AND ADHESIVE MEANS ON AN INNER SURFACE OF SAID ADDITIONAL PANEL ADJACENT SAID FREE AND EXPOSED SIDE EDGE THEREOF AND ADHESIVELY SECURING ADDITIONAL PANEL TO SAID FIRST PANEL. 